Photo Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images
It should be the greatest day of Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil’s life. Just a few hours ago, the draft prospect was projected to be one of the first names selected. Unfortunately, just ten minutes before the start of the draft, a video allegedly showing Tunsil smoking out of a gas mask was posted on his Twitter page. It was immediately taken down, but the damage was done. Teams, already weary of players with character issues, decided to stay away from Tunsil and pick other players. Two offensive tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Jack Conklin, were taken over Tunsil in the top ten picks.
Ravens took Tunsil OFF their board after that video, member of organization tells me. OFF.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) April 29, 2016
After what must have felt like hours for him, Tunsil was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the thirteenth overall pick.
Welcome to Miami, Laremy Tunsil! pic.twitter.com/gtoPkoDjqS
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 29, 2016
Tunsil’s agent did not deny the video, insisting it was very old and possibly from when his client was in high school. His agent continued saying that someone hacked Tunsil’s account which has since been deleted. Hopefully, this was just an incredibly bad decision and not a pattern that will continue during his professional career. The league has seen too many first round draft picks not work out because of off the field issues.
It has not been easy for Tunsil. He is currently facing a lawsuit from his stepfather who accused the offensive tackle of defaming his character. He also had to sit out seven games this season after the NCAA found that he received improper benefits while at Ole Miss. All of that does not matter as he gets a clean slate in Miami.
